Gunderson launches Crowley heavy lift barge

Crowley's heavy-lift series deck barge 455-5 has been christened and launched at Gunderson Marine Shipyard in Portland, Oregon.

The 400-foot-long by 105-foot-wide heavy-lift barge will be used to transport the world's largest land based drilling rig for Parker Drilling and BP.

The 455-5 is the 42nd Crowley barge built at the Gunderson yard.

Crowley's heavy-lift 455 series deck barges with 25-foot side shells provide both the capacity and deck strength needed to accommodate larger drilling and production units used for deepwater offshore energy exploration and development. They provide increased deck strength for loads up to 4,200 pounds per square foot.

Crowley has plans to build up to 13 of these high-capacity barges by 2013. The largest, already in operation in the U.S. Gulf, measures 400 feet by 130 feet. Construction of the 455-6, the next barge in the series, is currently underway and it is expected to be delivered by Gunderson this summer.

Vessel deliveries and christenings for Crowley thus far this year include heavy-lift series barge 455-4; the 185,000-barrel capacity articulated tug barge (ATB) Commitment/650-6,and the tug Nachik, a vessel specifically designed to overcome the challenges of delivering fuel and freight in shallow Alaskan waters with enhanced safety and environmental protections.

Later this month, the company is scheduled to take delivery of the Sesok, the Nachik's sister vessel, and in early June Crowley will christen the Commitment/650-6 its newest 185,000-barrel ATB in Long Beach, Calif.